All you need to know about Smart DNS service Introduction to Domain Name System (DNS) server Domain Name System (DNS) is a naming system used in the computer networks, which helps map domain names to their corresponding IP addresses, which are used by computers to communicate with each other. In simple words, DNS converts the internet domain and host name of the website into an IP address that is understood by the computer, assuming that the IP addresses do not change. DNS serves the purpose of locating and identifying device location using specific network protocols. Meanwhile, a DNS server is any computer registered to join the Domain Name System. DNS servers are the computers designated to store DNS database records (names and addresses), while clients of the DNS include PCs, phones and other devices of end users. How does a Smart DNS service work? The common use for Smart DNS is primarily for accessing region-restricted content from around the world. For example, many people use Smart DNS to expand their access to regional Netflix content -- they can be sitting in their home in London but connect to and watch Netflix from the United States. Smart DNS does this by taking the data associated with a user's geographical location and re-routing it through a computer server set up by the Smart DNS proxy server service provider. This server is located in the region that's permitted to access the region-blocked content that the user is trying to view, now giving the user access to content from a different part of the world all while he or she physically stays in one place. When you're ready to set up and use a Smart DNS, there's no need to install any third-party applications or software on your device. Simply change the DNS of your device to connect with a Smart DNS server located in the specific region of your choosing, sit back, and enjoy your now-unblocked content. How does a Smart DNS differ from a VPN? Smart DNS is a protocol that can be used to re-route traffic required for determining your geographical location. However, unlike a VPN, Smart DNS does not provide encryption or hide your IP address. A VPN service creates a tunnel that changes or masks your IP to make it appear you are accessing the site from another location. Smart DNS functions as more of a “trick” by changing your DNS (Domain Name System) so sites think you’re eligible to access their content. The reason that Smart DNS differs wildly from VPN with better user speed is that it does not require traveling through a distant server location. So a Smart DNS router setup gives you some of the advantages a VPN service can offer (unblocking popular services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Pandora) without the potential disadvantage of slower speeds from heavy VPN encryption. HMA Review HideMyAss (HMA) is one of the most popular and widely-used VPN service provider with a wide range of servers spread across 221 countries. HMA offers premium VPN services at a reasonable price (not the cheapest) but with unconditional 30-day money back guarantee. It comes with an impressive user interface as well as quick and easy installation. Pros: 30-Day Money Back Guarantee Supports Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. Android and iOS mobile apps. Live Chat & Email Support Over 900 servers in 210 countries High speed and Secure VPN service Constantly expanding network with a 138% rise in the number of servers over July 2014 (638) to July 2015 (885) Cons: USA Legal requirements - User logging No free trial available. Only 2 concurrent connections Supported Platforms Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS HMA also provides Android and iOS mobile apps. HideMyAss works simultaneously on multiple devices, which also include devices without built-in VPN support such as internet-enabled TVs, games consoles, Netflix devices and Apple TVs among others. It also provides the option to install the VPN software application on the router, in order to protect the source of the wireless internet connection. If installed on the router, the software need not be installed on any of the connected devices. The software’s impressive user interface allows the adjustment of preferences to change the IP address, either randomly, or manually for every minute or five minutes, without any restrictions. Supported Protocols OpenVPN (TCP, UDP), L2TP-IPsec, LLTP and PPTP Privacy Policy HMA respects your privacy. HMA collects and logs time stamp, native IP address, assigned IP address and amount of data transmitted. HMA does not monitor nor keep track of websites you visited or any data transmitted over the VPN network. The logs are kept for 2-3 months. Payments Methods HideMyAss accepts credit cards, Paypal and Bitcoin. By accepting 3rd-party payment methods such as Paypal and Bitcoin, HideMyAss respects customer's privacy and allow anonymous payments. Countries and Locations HideMyAss has 925 VPN servers located in 352 locations in 221 countries with more than 125,159 IP addresses. With every subscription, you'll have an access to any VPN servers and IP addresses located throughout the world. Moreover, new VPN servers and additional IP addresses are regularly added to accommodate growing subscriptions. More information about HMA's server locations is as follows: Location Servers IP addresses North America 409 53,800 Europe 300 41,102 Asia 69 10,896 Oceania 30 4,079 Central America 6 806 South America 14 1,680 Africa 54 7,150 Christmas Offers in Subscription Packages Kick-Ass Package: $9.99 per month – Validity: 1 month Half-Ass Package: $6.67 per month – Validity: 6 months Smart-Ass Package: $4.99 per month – Validity: 12 months Customers are charged automatically every 1 month based on the chosen package. There is an option to cancer online at any time. Benefit for Multiple accounts or Business/Corporate Accounts: There is an option for multiple accounts to be consolidated into one master account to facilitate single convenient subscription payment. Business/Corporate accounts or multiple accounts also qualify for own account manager and priority support. Customer Support and Service HMA offers round the clock customer support through email and Live Chat. Emails sent to the support team are responded quickly, thanks to the dedicated support team. How to Choose the Best VPN provider? We live in the era of constant threat to personal security and privacy on the world wide web. In the world of internet, users are constantly under an unknown threat from hackers who steal personal data or the authorities who monitor online activities. VPNs have become the need of the hour. However, to jump-start without proper knowledge also leads to a great risk and financial loss. Hence, we present you with all the aspects of VPN services, features and benefits, along with a list of top VPN services. It’s time you decide whether you find it essential to protect your internet security or not. What is a VPN? A VPN or a Virtual Private Network is a secure network connection between two separate networks. In simple words, VPN is like a bridge that connects two islands (here, LANs) to establish an easy, secure and more reliable connection between the two islands (here, local networks). This helps tackle security and privacy issues; since the data transmitted over a VPN is encrypted and unreadable to the current technology. The encrypted communication, if detected, is unreadable, and conceals the user identity, since no logs will be saved for the user sessions. This allows the user to browse behind a vast number of IP addresses covering a wide range of servers. How does a VPN work? VPNs use signal encryption and network tunneling mechanisms to prevent from being detected by monitoring mechanisms. In tunneling mechanism, the traffic from the user’s computer and the greater network (Internet) is passed through a tunnel, thus preventing external or unauthorized access to the user’s private data that includes IP address, server location, user location or session logs. VPNs not only protect user data and internet privacy, but also enable users to choose any locations, server and IP address in order to access data that is explicitly available for users residing in specific countries. It, thus, creates a false user identity to bypass any kind of monitoring mechanism. VPNs protects from hackers and helps avert internet censorship implemented by the government/ISPs. Things to learn before opting for a VPN service To be technically sound while choosing the right VPN provider, it is always essential to understand the technical jargon used to describe the features and potential of any VPN network. Hence, we present some easily understandable definitions for the widely used terms in the VPN market. IP address An Internet Protocol address (IP address) is a unique numerical label assigned to each device for the purpose of network interface identification and location addressing. It contains four numbers (ranging between 0 and 255), each containing three digits, separated by a single period (.). Internet Protocol is a set of rules that govern Internet activity and facilitate completion of a variety of actions on the World Wide Web. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_address Web Server A Web Server is a computer program that dispenses web pages as per user’s request over the internet. When a user enters the website URL in the internet browser’s address bar, then the browser sends a request to access the web page associated with the URL. This request is responded by a web server, which provides access to the webpage requested. Geo-restriction This methodology decides users’ internet access permission levels on the basis of user’s geographical location.